Pollard Hopewell entered the Navy as a Midshipman in June 1812, and reported to frigate Chesapeake 21 August. With a new crew Captain Lawrence put to sea to engage the crack British frigate Shannon 1 June 1913. Despite their captain's famous cry, "Don't give up the ship", the crew was overwhelmed and the ship taken. Midshipman Hopewell was among those killed, as was the gallant Lawrence. Photo #: NH 48251, Action between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, 1 June 1813. Engraving by Henry Bryan Hall after a painting by Alonzo Chappel, published circa 1858 by Martin, Johnson & Company. Entitled "Death of Captain Lawrence", it depicts Captain James Lawrence, Commanding Officer of USS Chesapeake, being carried below after he had been mortally wounded early in the battle. His final command to Chesapeake's officers and crew was "Don't Give Up the Ship". Courtesy of Colonel J.R. Taylor, October 1938. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

HMS Bath (ex-USS Hopewell, DD-181) commissioned into RN on 23 September 1940 at Halifax, NS, and sailed 29 September 1940 for Devonport via St John's, NF and Belfast, NI, arriving 10 October 1940 for a brief refit before joining 1st Minelaying Squadron based at Port ZA, HMS Trelawney (shore establishment), Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland. She escorted four minelaying sorties by the Squadron, and provided local A/S escort for three major troop convoys WS4B, WS5B and TC8) after which she went to Chatham for refit 25 January 1941 to 12 April 1941. During the Chatham refit, the standard Stage 1 alterations were made, on
completion she was manned by Royal Norwegian Navy personnel, transfer actually taking place 9 April 1941. Unfortunately her return to active duty was delayed by a collision when on trials on 16 April 1941 and the ship repaired on the Tyne until 19 May 1941, followed by a work up at Tobermory until 18 June 1941. On completion of work-up, she joined 5th Escort Group based at Liverpool and was principally engaged in escorting the OG/HG convoys to and from Gibralter. While escorting her sixth convoy, OG71, she was torpedoed on 19
August 1941 by U204 in position 48.30N 17.45W, and sank rapidly. (History thanks to Robert Hurst)

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The 'Town' class destroyer HMS Bath (ex-USS Hopewell, DD-181) early in her RN career while operating with the 1st
Minelaying Squadron, based at Port ZA (HMS Trelawney), the Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland.

Robert Hurst

USS HOPEWELL DD-181 History
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